2021 French Grand Prix articles archive

Valtteri Bottas led a one-two for Mercedes in the first practice session for the French Grand Prix.

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has called on the FIA to reveal more details of the cause of “safety critical” tyre failures in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Ferrari sponsor and Marlboro cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris has pulled the logos of its controversial Mission Winnow programme from the team’s cars, citing “mistrust and an abundance of scepticism towards our industry.”

Pirelli has increased the minimum starting tyre pressures for the French Grand Prix and set several new restrictions in line with updated rules which come into force this weekend.

Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll’s crashes occured because their tyres were running at lower pressures than expected, say Pirelli.

Valtteri Bottas and George Russell have denied rumours Mercedes have decided which of them will drive for the team in 2022.

Sebastian Vettel said he doesn’t have complete confidence in the structural integrity of F1’s tyres following the failures at the previous round in Azerbaijan.

Valtteri Bottas will use a different chassis for the French Grand Prix, but he says the change is not related to his poor result at the last race.

Formula 1’s head of motorsport Ross Brawn has urged fans to keep an open mind about the new ‘Sprint’ races which will be introduced next month.

The French Grand Prix is expected to be overcast for much of the weekend, with a slight chance of rain showers on race day.

F1 is back at Paul Ricard for the first time in two years, and the track has been reprofiled. Will that aid overtaking? Here are more talking points for this weekend.